Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
IT'S been nearly a decade since people were getting tipsy over the turn of the millennium. And what a memorable decade it has been!
These past 10 years have changed our lives and the face of the world so dramatically and intrinsically that the black and white televisions and lava lamps of yesteryear seem like figments of a time long, long ago.
For the past decade or so, on New Year's Eve, it has become somewhat of a tradition in my house to switch on the television, flick to a news channel and stick back and watch the celebratory holiday fireworks, the cheery, euphoric crowd and the eccentric decorations in each country as they welcome in the New Year - first, Australia with the beautifully lit Opera House and a cascade of shimmering lights and then, all the way down to America.
Every culture greets a new beginning in a new way. It's a tradition I cherish, as I reflect upon the years that have been.
The glorious decade - The Noughties - wedged in between 2000 and 2010 has seen us through countless ups and downs, breakthroughs and breakdowns, inventions and explosions.
We witnessed the unveiling of iPads, iPods and even laptops. Hybrid cars entered commercial production and 3D movies became commonplace.
Google became the symbol of the ever-developing internet and Facebook was born to become the place to be for 500 million users.
Computers magnificently evolved to awed gapes and people became more closely connected than they had ever been before.
The Y2K Bug and Anthrax threats triggered panic worldwide, while Pluto was demoted from planet status.
The twin towers fell and Burj Al Khalifa reached for the stars. Swine flu flew around the world and planes stayed grounded, sheeted with Christmas ice. Tsunamis killed thousands and earthquakes destroyed homes and towns.
The Economic Financial Collapse robbed weighty pockets, while the world was robbed of the legendary Michael Jackson.
Wikipedia and Barack Obama were both ushered in with ecstatic smiles.
A new Pope reigned over the masses and Michael Phelps ruled the pool with eight gold medals.
The Hadrion Collider was built, while Harry Potter cast a spell over the world. Slumdog Millionaire charmed its way through the Oscars and Heath Ledger left behind an unforgettable mark.
So many things and so many more happened in a short span of 10 years. Lives were lost, lives were made and life goes on.
The world around us is constantly morphing; developing at warp speed, eternally changing the skyline.
Who knows what's in store for us in the 10 years to come? The possibilities are endless. The future looks bright.
As for now? Live life to fullest - anything can happen; everything can change. In a few days, we'll be standing on the brink of a brand new year, ready to take the propitious plunge and fill in pages and pages more.
Every year, January comes along with such fanfare and a cascade of confetti because it is a reminder ... a reminder that we have a chance to start again, start fresh and do things right.
2011 is a new, untouched year - make it special, make it memorable.
Do things you've never done before. Take risks, climb mountains and jump over hurdles. Do good deeds, set new goals and take a break once in a while to relish the moment.
Whether you say Feliz A–o Nuevo or Sun Nien Fai Lok, remember to have a wonderful, Happy New Year filled with cheer, luck and good tidings.
2011 is your year ... so what are you waiting for?
